MAYOR'S MESSAGE Similar to last year at this time, it seems appropriate to review the 2023-2025 Council Goals, especially as the goal period comes to an end and we begin planning for our 2025-2027 goal planning session. During 2024, the following efforts were underway to address the 2023-2025 Council Goals: Working Well Together: Promote DEI & Emphasize Beautification -DEI-Centric Proclamations: Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Pride Month, Juneteenth, Indigenous People’s Month, Indigenous People’s History Month -Near completion of new interpretive signs at the Boardwalk, in partnership with the Coquille Indian Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and funded by Travel Oregon grant -Apprenticeship program developed with five new hires starting in January 2025, within the Fire Department, in partnership with Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industry -Continued Partnerships with Oregon’s Bay Area Beautification, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way for community clean-up events Working with Key Partners -Worked with Coos County to transition all 911 Emergency Dispatch to one center, operated by Coos Bay Police Department – North Coos 911 Dispatch Center -Continued cooperation between public safety agencies for sharing of training and facilities -Continued partnership with Coos Bay Downtown Association and Coos Bay-North Bend-Charleston Visitor & Convention Bureau for updating the wayfinding signage in downtown Maintain & Improve Public Infrastructure -Wastewater Treatment Plant 1 – Phase 1 improvements continue Pump Station 6 & 9 upgrades nearly complete -Second Annual Road Report to be presented to Council in early 2025 -Green Parking Lots complete - 3rd Street/Central Avenue and Front Street Addressing Housing & Homelessness -Housing site plan, in partnership with Bay Area Hospital, with funding from ODOT/DLCD to begin in early 2025 -Transition of seasonal warming center under Salvation Army operation -Administration of three Oregon Housing & Community Service grants to support local service organizations’ efforts towards homelessness/housing solutions Economic Development -Front Street Blueprint projects underway – Coos History Museum walkway extension complete, land survey/swap for continued walking path -Empire Blueprint project nearly complete, presentation for Council adoption in early 2025 -Coos Bay’s 150th Birthday Celebration – the successful effort a many local organizations and individuals Public Safety -Partnered with NW Natural to host “Get Ready Coos Bay” disaster fair -Fire Safety Inspection program implemented; initial round of inspections underway Communication Between City and Citizens -Walk with the Mayors monthly walk continues (partnership with North Bend) -Website update to include “Feedback” link on every page, regularly receive feedback each week -Friday Update newsletter subscriptions over 7,700 (up from a little over 5,000 in 2023) -Full use of multiple social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X City Manager Transition Plan -Completed, August 2023 Council Goal Tracking -Regular Council presentations and shared to website In 2024, significant progress was made on Council Goals and beyond, with numerous projects completed or in progress that were not originally included within the 2023-2025 Council Goals. To review City Council Goals updates, check out the website: https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/city-council/goals-objectives Stay tuned in 2025, as we expect to make significant strides in economic development and increasing housing stock, along with finding funding to support the many things that make this community an amazing place to live, including focused efforts towards funding for: addressing failing library structure, park improvements, multi-modal transportation, reducing energy usage/costs, upgrading aging infrastructure. Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve and join me in welcoming 2025! -Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay